astosic Reviews

The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

Not abysmal... ?

[6/10 · 14 October 2023]

Visually, dark creepy Poe-ish, all very good. Great cast - lots of undeniable talent. Creative definitely, from costume and set design to even the episode titles, something clever. At moments unnecessarily sexualized and gory (yes, even for Poe). Without giving things away, it's a predictable story of how a powerful and wealthy family crumbles, with repercussions for its progeny. Episode 1 makes neat reference to Poe's original tale in telling the lead characters' childhood backstory. But why do series have to always lecture us nowadays? Why do writers make their characters go on poorly veiled diatribes about U. S. politics, ruining moments for global audiences? (Literally killed the last minutes of the final episode for me) Why are there pseudointellectual listings of ills and flaws and so on and so on? The flaws of the characters are sufficient to drive the plot and to let an audience draw conclusions and perhaps even lessons from. It's all so tedious, and ruins filmmaking and storytelling. Let the audience be immersed, let us think, escape, ponder. Believe it or not, we might reflect and figure it out without your lectures.

Sound of Freedom (2023)

Difficult subject, excellent film

[9/10 · 29 July 2023]

I chose to see this film for a variety of reasons. Having heard that Jim Caviezel and Mira Sorvino were both in it piqued my interest immediately. Anyone following the story of the attempts to destroy their careers will understand why. Secondly, hearing that the film was actually completed five years prior to release was another huge alert. In a day and age when WAP is glorified, the film certainly wasn't being held back because of concerns about the intense subject matter or anything of the like (perhaps held back due to subject matter for other reasons, yes). Finally, the hyperbolic reaction from mainstream media sources told me I needed to see for myself. It was an excellent film in every respect - technical aspects, cinematography, pace, casting, script. See it. Absolutely see it.

Mafia Mamma (2023)

Enjoyable fluff

[7/10 · 11 May 2023]

Some of the reviews here are confusing this for film bound for Cannes. Relax. It's a predictable but funny enough flick, definitely not great cinema. Commenters saying Toni Colette's talents are wasted in this film should maybe think she's giving it her comedic touch - none of the awkwardness and subtlety of Muriel, but she's really enjoyable despite the film's shortcomings. Are Monica Bellucci's talents wasted here? There's a possibility of that, and I often wonder if Italian actors and actresses get tired of mafia films and roles, even when spoofing them. Her role is a cool, aloof mafia family member, mentoring and perhaps puppeteering Colette's character in her new family position. The three Balbano goons are decent enough foils (again formulaic - at first resenting the Americana but eventually coming around) with Eduardo Scarpetta standing out (you may know him from Lidia Poët or My Brilliant Friend). Is it predictable and tropey? God, yes; the lead character even makes a self-deprecating "Under the Tuscan Sun" joke, a sentiment I can't imagine writers felt at least somewhat for at least one plot thread. But it's not dreadful and not a waste of time if you choose to stream it.

The Diplomat (II) (2023– )

Excellent but with doses of propaganda

[5/10 · 24 April 2023]

Perhaps it's not always good for a series to reflect current events so closely. I enjoyed the cast, the writing, the pace of the series but the inserted rhetoric on particular points spins strongly American and frankly is part of a broader, tiresome trend of series and movies that preach instead of entertain. Keri Russell is outstanding and the cast offers solid, convincing performances. Not sure how much has been filmed in various locations versus on sets, but the settings all wow the viewer. Just really didn't expect to get indoctrinated (in many cases wildly erroneously) about current conflicts. I just want to watch a TV drama. Don't shove politics down my throat.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: Dreams in the Witch House (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

Not all of us care about Lovecraft

[8/10 · 19 December 2022]

I've never read any Lovecraft works and it seems that the extremely negative reviews here all come from dedicated fans upset about something. If you look at the episode on its own, it's pretty solid... Very good, even. Rupert Grint anchors it well as the lead character, not that this should surprise anyone, and the episode itself is filmed well and structured well. The real sense of a brother's desperation is palpable from Grint as he continually searches for a way to connect to his long lost twin sister. As with other episodes the attention to visual detail is excellent. The story carries a message, I think, of "life being for the living". To grieve is one thing, to obsess is another, often damaging our lives deeply.

The Watcher (2022– )

Strong cast, terrible script

[5/10 · 19 October 2022]

This could have been a 90 minute movie. Or perhaps a 3 episode limited series. I'm still baffled how one takes such good cast of actors with great presence and experience, and produces this. Cannavale, Watts, Martindale, Farrow all got my attention and drew me to give The Watcher a chance in the first place. I feel robbed of time. The final episode especially was almost comedic in its predictability, ridiculous twists (no spoilers but there was a lot of disbelief we were expected to suspend; I simple couldn't), and a particularly melodramatic moment by one character that was only missing Yakkity Sax in the background. Kept hoping for more throughout the series, but it never came. What a disappointment.

House of Gucci (2021)

Overhyped.

[4/10 · 12 February 2022]

Gaga - not bad. Adam Driver - not his best or most memorable performance, but okay. Jared Leto? Utterly disastrous...Mario and Luigi's lost cousin. And who expected Al Pacino to have the worst of the Italian accents in this film, slipping into some NYC Italian-American thing all the time. A potentially interesting story that needed a retro throwback soundtrack to anchor scenes, which are admittedly beautifully filmed - not that this is difficult in Italy and Switzerland. Fringe characters actually weren't bad. But all of the hype over this thing is entirely undeserving.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Disappointing

[2/10 · 28 December 2021]

Too long, too bloated a cast for something that delivered little. The only thing that resonated was the way politics ruins everything, but ironically there was a lot of messaging in dialogue that was loaded political commentary on and for U. S. audiences. What a waste of talents. Hope the cast uses their paychecks to renovate a kitchen or something because the producers wasted theirs.

1000 Miles from Christmas (2021)

Cute Christmas Movie

[8/10 · 28 December 2021]

It's somewhat predictable - big city misanthrope, hates Christmas and avoids it every year, gets sent to a remote mountain town to audit a nougat factory (in Spain, nougat called turròn is inextricably tied to Christmas). The town loves Christmas, of course, but he's on a short timeline to make his Caribbean vacation (avoiding spending the holiday with his mother, naturally). Tropes abound, but the cast is very good and carry their roles well (especially the sugary Christmas-loving townsfolk). It's different from the North American Christmas films that obviously inspired its making. Distinctly Spanish in the Christmas details. I am adding it to my holiday viewing roster, for sure.

Cinderella (I) (2021)

Contrived and disappointing

[1/10 · 5 September 2021]

To be entirely honest, I was most looking forward to Rob Beckett, James Acaster, and Romesh Ranganathan, and in their roles they did not disappoint. But what a mess of script. Trying to hard to be all things expected of 2021 rightthink and honestly I'm tired of these reworking of fairy tales (among other classic stories). Predictable and boring.

The Current War (2017)

Expected more

[7/10 · 24 June 2021]

With this fantastic cast, I expected much more. Very flattering to Edison, but what else to expect. Even while smearing AC current and playing dirty, the script puts lofty and noble words in his mouth which frankly were cringey. Westinghouse is portrayed as practical, down-to-earth. Hoult's Tesla is youthful and well portrayed - not a caricature, which was something I had worried it could have slipped into. His frustrations as an immigrant come across clearly. Tom Holland as the assistant is most like the jester in King Lear - a conscience trying to mitigate hubris, at moments. Costumes and cinematography were very good, but as much the escape hatch of "based on actual events" was of course flashed on screen, there were unfortunate liberties taken. It had the potential for a much more intense or faster paced film. Not terrible, just not living up to potential that the story offered. I'd still recommend it for anyone interested in the sometimes convoluted story of Edison, Westinghouse, Tesla, and J. P. Morgan.

Flack (2019–2021)

Season 2 lost my interest

[5/10 · 14 June 2021]

Great acting from so many cast members, and S1 held my interest, but by the end I was tired of trying to see the humanity in awful people repeating their same mistakes. S2 became tropey and laden with all the right current messages we are intended to digest, presented by characters in all too blatant and predictable ways. Tiresome.

Another Life (2019– )

I had hopes, but....nope.

[4/10 · 8 August 2019]

Katie Sackhoff carries this show and gives one of the few reasonable performances. Justin Chatwin is another, but is sadly underrated. I found the crew annoying.... Humanity two centuries in the future apparently hasn't changed much, and global space agencies of the future apparently interview based on perceived hotness and strength of Instagram game. I stuck with it though, each episode giving me enough hope that the eye-rolly moments I endured could be redeemed. Nope. Episode 8 was the nail in the coffin, the majority of its content being stupidly gratuitous. I won't spoil it for you - the writers already did that by giving you characters that are whiny, unbelievable caricatures.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2019)

Losing its charm by loading up on issues

[4/10 · 13 June 2018]

Still some funny moments and decent writing, but each episode tries way to hard to address social/political issues. Feels forced, and honestly it's tiresome. I enjoyed the ridiculous premise of s1 and s2 adjustment to society, but I watch this show to laugh and escape exactly all of those things. Still enjoyable, still love the cast, and whenever Jane Krakowski is on screen I love it. Some of the best humour is in the incidental moments (look for a flashback abiut science class educational film - all I'm going to say!) But the attempt to be relevant, or educate, or resist or whatever they're trying to do, is tedious.

Sunstroke (2014)

Tedious

[4/10 · 6 July 2015]

Drags on and on and onnnnn. No reason for this to have been a three hour movie. The storyline of the tragic fate of Menshevik/White Army prisoners during the 1920 Red Terror is diminished by the lead character's recurring, saccharine reminiscences of a one night stand in 1907. That plot line could have been reduced to three short memory flashbacks and been just as effective. The war plot line suffered, as it was not given enough depth; unless you really know your Russian history, the nuances of who the prisoners are, what this mixed group of officers, soldiers and Cossacks represents is otherwise lost on the viewer. A single poignant gesture by one of the Bolshevik characters has no meaning, based on how this story has been told, alone. Three hours. Three hours of predictability. And Sunstroke? Yes, we get it - you did Burnt by the Sun. Bravo. Too bad about this latest effort, Nikita.

A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (2014)

Worst film I've seen in years

[1/10 · 20 June 2015]

I'm convinced that only the most pretentious film snobs see anything of value or comedy in this boring, slow film. The sad old salesmen got tiresome in seconds, and were predictable in any case. The time travelling king and army went too long to be funny. The barmaid giving out drinks for kisses isn't shocking or delightful - at least not to Euro sensibilities. The latter scenes cross so many lines, I can't see how they're reflections on life or human nature or our world - they're horrid. Disconnected, tedious, amorphous and pointless all apply to this over-hyped waste of time. A comedy, this is definitely not. How it got awards can only be explained as Emperor's New Clothes syndrome.

Amour (2012)

Mr. Lazarescu, Meet the Laurents...

[1/10 · 29 January 2013]

I can't believe the hype this film is getting. It reminded me how everyone was raving about what a 'great comedy, great social commentary' the "Death of Mr. Lazarescu" was - when in fact it was the sad tale of a voiceless man who, lacking nobody to advocate for him, dies alone.

Anyone who has cared for a stroke victim or frankly any loved one whose health was in decline, elderly or not, would be advised to think twice before seeing this film. It will dredge up all of the memories. All of them. I have a feeling all the people hailing this film as great art or visionary cinema have not been exposed to that kind of challenge or loss in their own lives. To them I say, your time will come. Watch "Amour" again then, and see that Haneke is rubbing our faces in misery. If his goal was to, like Anne, get us to seek out a way to end it all - well, bravo.

The acting is excellent. The film, visually, is simple. But excruciatingly long scenes of their struggle is, to me, sadistic. Beyond voyeuristic. People should be outraged over this, and not the torture blah-blah in Zero Dark Thirty, frankly.

Haneke at least has a clear goal here: to make you feel miserable. Because we all know that ageing, illness and dying are horrible... so let's not pretend that unveiling that to us was his goal. Do the elderly pair love one another? Clearly. But the conclusion of this film is not about love, in my opinion; it's about defeat. Thanks for giving us all a dose of what lies ahead for us, Haneke. My only consolation is that you'll face it sooner than I will. And at least this film didn't leave me with a trail of "wtf's" wider than the Danube like "White Ribbon" did.

Taras Bulba (2009)

Unabashedly patriotic.

[8/10 · 19 February 2010]

.... And I guess that's the problem. Unabashed patriotism is OK for some, not for others. The Zaporozhians' battles in defence of Orthodoxy, when it was being attacked on two fronts, is a story that must not be forgotten. The film is impressive in its historical detail, costumes, etc.... the music (and some of the acting) is a little melodramatic, but I think it's a fitting thing for a rousing film. The scene of cossacks writing a letter to the Ottoman Sultan (an actual event from 1675) is reminiscent of the famous Repin painting depicting it. A grittier, less glam/swashbuckling version than the Yul Brynner classic, but that's what this story needs. It will never get wide theatrical release in North America because it is too honest, and not politically correct enough. Who cares. It's in my video collection, and it is becoming a favourite quickly.

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005)

Horrible film.

[1/10 · 22 August 2007]

Dull, demeaning, even if it is realistic. I can't believe this is marketed as a comedy, or reviewed as 'art', or even poetic and kafkaesque. I was actually given this DVD as a gift, and for the first time ever, I actually threw out a DVD. You can only find this funny if you have not been in that situation. If you have, it's tragic, and not in the least entertaining. As much as it is a reality that "we all have to bite the dust some time", dignity should be part of that ending of our lives. Watching a man die in agony, alone, was not an example of the inevitability of our mortality; I could not just shrug and press stop. An embarrassment to Romania, a disappointment to my friends and I, and a waste of time for anyone.

Gucha: Distant Trumpet (2006)

Gucha! had me dancing in my seat.

[10/10 · 22 August 2007]

What a light-hearted and sweet (albeit somewhat predictable) film. I am glad to see another film in which the Romany language is heard, and a first film where the Gucha Trumpet Festival is highlighted. The cinematography and editing of this movie are outstanding - the hills and orchards of the region are a sumptuous backdrop to a very sweet, and encouraging, story. And the music - unforgettable! I have the soundtrack already, thanks to friends in Belgrade. Y'know, it's best not to overthink things sometimes.... Sometimes ya gotta just sit back and enjoy a feast for the eyes, ears, and heart. It's a contender for TIFF 2007... hope it makes the programme!

Volver (I) (2006)

To Return, To Feel, To Live.

[10/10 · 10 September 2006]

What an amazing movie about second chances, making things right, and being true to yourself. Visually seductive at all the right moments (what Almodovar can do with a kitchen paper towel, nobody can), "Volver" has many moments that elicit genuine laughter, even while dealing with some heavy topics. Despite only a brief appearance in the film, Tia Paola is a great character, and the two lead characters, the sisters Raimunda and Soledad, are played by the actresses very convincingly. Penelope Cruz is great in this film - so down-to-earth, and evoking great empathy from the audience when her character sings for the first time in many, many years. Her song, sung to a duet of Castilian guitars, sums up in its lyrics the message of the movie: Volver, Sentir, Vivir - To Return, To Feel, To Live.

The Ugly Duckling and Me! (2006)

Great spin on a classic tale

[9/10 · 10 September 2006]

A very heart-warming and kid-friendly film, brought up-to-date in terms of some of the plot twists and humour. When Ratso, a slick city rat, sees Ugly (yep, that's his real name), all he can imagine is dollar signs. He plans on exploiting the duckling at carnival sideshows. But, "the best-laid plans of rats and ducks" don't always work out the way we originally want them to. At the Toronto Festival, this was part of the pilot "Family First" series, an outreach of the "Sprockets" Children's Film Festival, so it was unusual but very refreshing to have so many kids in the audience. Their laughter was genuine, and the rest of us had plenty to laugh about as well (Got a teenager in your life? you'll love the scenes of Ugly's very rapid-onset 'puberty'). The animation is crisp and inviting, and the voices in the English language version were excellent.

Babel (I) (2006)

Visually stunning cinematography, but still crap.

[1/10 · 10 September 2006]

Just saw this at Toronto's festival, where it's been highly anticipated... the city's plastered with "Babel" posters. The cinematography is sumptuous, as it the editing, and there are some great performances from the cast. But the story telling.... meh, not so much. Although it will be praised and fawned over, and doubtless get a whack of Oscar nominations, this is a tedious film that never really succeeds in linking the disparate stories in an adequate way. (especially the Tokyo story - could've lost it entirely, and saved 45 minutes of my time). Smart move for Gael Garcia Bernal to do a flick with Pitt and Blanchett... it'll propel him further into the spotlight in North American cinema. The only messages I got from this movie is that we are apparently supposed to feel sorry for the tragedies that result when people do stupid, stupid things; and, that destroying the lives of many is alright, so long as it works out for few.

Ivko's Feast (2005)

A vivid picture of Serbian customs & habits.... for better or worse.

[7/10 · 15 January 2006]

"Ivkova Slava" was featured at the recent Festival of New Serbian Film, in Toronto. It was eagerly anticipated, as memories of "Zona Zamfirova" are still fresh here. As with Zona, director Sotra takes us back to times past with colour and exacting detail: the sets, the costumes, the use of regional dialect, the feeling for a time when Serbia was reemerging from centuries of Ottoman subjugation, and notably the accurate portrayals of the ancient customs of the 'slava', or 'patron saint's day feast'.

In Southern Serbia, there are long standing traditions of hospitality. There is also a long standing tradition of going to emotional extremes, as we see with Ivko's three best friends (four, if you count "what's-his-name" the uninvited Shakespeare-quoting stranger). Reacting to a perceived slight from their host, they set out to publicly embarrass him, and majorly overstay their welcome at Ivko's saint's day, leading to all sorts of mishaps, frustrations, and comic moments. I can say that the actors who portrayed Kurjak, Smuk and Kalcha very effectively got under my skin.... they brought to mind an old Serbian proverb that says, "Both fish and guests stink after they've been sitting around for three days" (in the original, "I gost i riba posle tri dana smrde"). Poor Ivko just can't get a break.

An excellent cast was selected, especially for the lead roles. The musical score was disappointing, relying on somewhat modern sounds for both incidental music and one spotlight number, "Insomnia" ("Nesanica"). The musical heritage of that region is so intoxicatingly rich, there was plenty to choose from that would have kept the mood captivating and authentic.

Guerreros (2002)

How thin is the veneer of civilization?

[8/10 · 8 January 2006]

We often watch world conflicts on TV and think they could never occur in our own country: we're too civilized to surrender ourselves to such brutal behaviour. This thought is one of many that haunts a group of Spanish peacekeepers in the embattled Serbian province of Kosovo. The troops represent a spectrum of personalities: the pacifist, the trigger happy, the professional soldier, the UN translator with conflicting loyalties, the soldier who wants no part of somebody else's conflict and who just wants to go home. As they undertake their duties - rebuilding a Church, restoring electricity to a town - the conflict becomes their reality. They are swept into it, and far from being the placid observers & peacekeepers they think they ought to be, they now must fight for their own survival. They slowly begin to lose that veneer of civilization that they though only they possessed, the same patina these embattled locals once had, but lost long ago. The director based many of the stories on actual events as told to him by Spanish soldiers returning from the region. It is filmed in a very gripping and heavy way - drawing you into it all, along with the lost soldiers. It drew great acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival, 2002. For those who followed (or survived) the events of the last decade in the Balkans, it is a stark and honest portrayal that will leave many re-thinking the versions they may have formulated in their own minds, reading newspapers and watching TV, comfortable, in their own very civilized, and very insular, homes